Chapter Ten

When I wake up, I'm in the main room of the cabin, tucked into the bed. The fire is blazing in the hearth, making the room sweltering. I immediately kick off the quilt covering me. I'm happy, but not surprised to find I'm still naked.

Being alone in the bed doesn't send me spiraling like last time, especially since I can see Az standing six feet away in the kitchen, cooking. I sit up and peer out the window. It's starting to get dark outside, so he's probably cooking a late lunch. Early dinner? It's impossible to determine time in the winter. Still, I can't believe I slept for so long.

Az is also stark naked. I want him to come join me in bed so we can finish what we started in the hot springs, but I'm so comfortable where I am, I'm satisfied to admire him from a distance. I'm just gonna sit here and do nothing. He wants to take care of me, and I'm a-okay with that now.

"You're awake," Az says, peering over his shoulder. "Good. You almost slept through Christmas. I was worried we weren't going to be able to decorate the tree. What would you have done if you missed Santa Claus?"

I chuckle. "Technically, Santa Claus was supposed to come last night." He wasn't the only one coming, I think with a wry smile. "And you're supposed to miss him. That's the whole point."

Az shakes his head. "I don't understand your traditions. What's the point of delivering presents if it's done in secret? How are you supposed to acknowledge how indebted you are to the Santa Claus and make offers of reciprocation?" Az turns around to face me. My cheeks warm at the sight of his semi-hard cock bobbing between his legs.

Somehow, I manage to tear my attention away from his groin. "Wait, did you say decorations? As in decorating Christmas tree decorations?" I shoot up in bed, practically vibrating with glee.

Az rubs his neck. "Don't get your hopes up. I shouldn't have said decorations. They are closer to rags and garbage if I'm being honest. I found some old ribbon and cut up some old fabric we can use to cover the tree. Now that I'm saying it out loud, it sounds stupid."

I climb out of bed, my body a little unsteady, and rush over to the big, sweet oaf as fast as I can without tripping over my feet. I wrap my arms around him and hug him tight, his cock pressing into my belly. Az makes a surprised sound as I squeeze. He's as used to physical affection as I am to his acts of kindness. I was married to Jeremy for years, and I didn't really comprehend how much I was missing until now. From an outsider's perspective, yeah, Az cooking breakfast and setting up a Christmas tree isn't the moon and stars, but my heart aches that I had gotten so used to Jeremy's apathy that not even trying became the baseline for our relationship. I wish I could go back in time and hug the eighteen-year-old girl who agreed to marry Jeremy just because she was so desperate for love, desperate for somebody to stick around and tell her that she is worth so much more. But that's okay, I'm making up for lost time.

Az is quiet as he rubs my back. I'm not crying, but he can tell I'm having a moment and is giving me as much time as I need.

I'm not meant to be alone,I realize. I just need to be more careful who I choose to let into my heart. Spending time with him is just the wake up call I needed.

"Sit down," I gesture to a nearby chair and tug on his arm as I sink to my knees. He's shown me such kindness, and I want to repay him.

"What—" He stops himself as soon as he sees me kneeling on the bearskin rug in front of him. Good, I don't have to spell it out. He lowers his body. I grab his cock and give him one slow stroke. The fire is blazing next to us, the scent of pine filling the air, and although this isn't how I wanted to spend my Christmas, it's a thousand percent better than I could have imagined.

I look up and our eyes connect. The flames cast deep shadows over the already hard edges of his face, making him more intimidating. His intense beauty makes my heart flutter. I give him a small smile before I bend forward, taking his thick tip in my mouth.

"Holl-leee," he stretches out my two syllable name into four. He groans as I drag my lips down his length. It may be my imagination, but the veins on his shaft seem to glow brighter. I come to a halting stop when he hits the back of my throat.

I give extra attention to his tip, running my tongue under the head. He's salty and a little bit sweet. I wrap my hands around his heavy sack, tickling the velvety skin between my fingers. Az digs his hands into my scalp, pushing my head down faster and faster until he's properly face fucking me. His balls tighten in my grip, and I increase the suction around his shaft with my lips, thinking he's close—

Az pulls me off his cock and my lips make a popping noise as the seal breaks.

"Hey!" I exclaim. "I was just getting into the rhythm." My eyes widen when I see the ravenous look on his face.

"Don't move," he orders in a clipped voice. He stands, taking one quick stride into the kitchen. He opens a cupboard, retrieving a small metal tin.

"What's that?" I ask when he returns. He pops the top off. He's so edgy he almost crushes the entire tin in his palm.

"An oil I made from plants I found around the mountain. It has anti-inflammatory properties. I use it for dry skin and other things. Let me just show you—" He dips his fingers in the golden tinted oil and slathers it across my breasts.

"Hey!" I squeak. "Give a girl a heads up first—woah," I breathe when the oil starts to tingle against my nipples, making the deep tug in my abdomen gush with warmth. He nudges my knees open and swipes the oil between my legs. "Oh, fuck!" I feel completely helpless as the space between my legs starts to tingle as well. It's not enough to get me off, but it's a completely new and erotic sensation, and I can't get enough.

Az's hand returns between my thighs, and he watches me intently as I grind my swollen clit against his palm. The rough calluses on the pads of his fingers create the perfect amount of friction. I can't believe how close I am already.

"Lay back," I order, a little breathless. He arches an eyebrow at me. I give him a stern look. "You told me to be selfish. This is me being selfish. Lay back now."

He gives me a wicked grin and thankfully obeys. He slowly lowers himself onto the rug, and I run my hands up his soft stomach to his defined pecs, digging my fingers into his chest hair.

I lick my lips as I dip my hand into the tin, the smell of peppermint mingling with pine, and rub the oil up and down his cock until his dark red skin is shimmering in the firelight.

"Tell me your darkest fantasy," he says, staring at me through slitted eyes. I want to take care of him, but somehow, he keeps turning the focus back to me.

I bite my lower lip. I don't know about darkest but spending time with him has opened my imagination and unlocked a plethora of new sexual fantasies.

He gives me a knowing look. "Sweetheart, I can hear the wheels in your head turning. Tell me what you're thinking."

Inhaling a steadying breath, I dare to meet his gaze. "There is something I want to try," I say softly. Reaching around him, I yank off his flannel hanging on the back of the chair.

Minutes later, as I'm cuddled up in the twin bed in the corner of the room, I keep my eyes trained on the front door. My heart is beating so fast, it feels like a hummingbird is trying to force its way through the cracks in my ribcage. My nerves only heighten as I wait, the seconds creeping by. This is a stupid idea, right? Az was straight-faced when I told him, but maybe I should call him back inside and tell him I want to consummate our bargain the old-fashioned way—

The front door flies open. Even though I knew it was coming, the sound is so startling, I jump, clutching the corner of the blanket tighter to my naked chest. I pull the edge to my chin, hiding my breasts.

Az's towering body eats up every inch of negative space in the doorframe. He glowers at me from across the room; the corner of his lip curls up with disgust as a gust of cold wind fills the cramped space. He's wearing the same outfit he wore on the first day I met him: an open flannel revealing a broad, hairy chest, ripped jeans held up by suspenders, and boots with his ax slung over his shoulder.

I press my bare back into the corner of the cabin; the cool wood bites into my skin. I know Az is pretending, but his menacing presence makes my skin prickle with real fear.

"I'm sorry—" I gasp out.

"I'm so sick of trespassers coming onto my property," he snarls, inclining his head as he enters the threshold. He slams the door behind him with his foot; the hinges groaning from the sheer force. "I spent all day chopping wood. I'm exhausted. The last thing I want is to come home and find a human in my bed."

"I'm so sorry, Mr. Lumberjack. I was hiking, and I got separated from my group. Please forgive me. I thought this place was abandoned."

He tosses his ax onto the floor with a bone-rattling thunk. He jerks his chin towards the fireplace and snaps his attention back to me. "You're burning my wood?"

Damn. He is good. When I asked him to play a sexually frustrated lumberjack, I didn't expect this level of commitment. I guess I shouldn't be surprised; he's had a lot of practice.

My stomach knots, but the deep pulse between my legs is strong and unmistakable. The scratchy blanket drags against my sensitive, taut nipples. Still covering my chest, I kneel forward on the bed. "P-please, sir. I was going to freeze to death if I didn't start a fire. Is there any way I can repay you? I might have some cash in my jacket."

His horns drag against the ceiling as he crosses the room in three slow, restrained strides. He doesn't even blink as a few ceiling tiles are knocked loose and clatter to the ground. "Oh, I have an idea."

I shrink into myself as he towers over the edge of the bed. He smirks down at me, his smile dark and sinister. He unhooks his suspenders and unzips his jeans in one jerky motion, his black eyes never leaving mine.

My teeth start chattering. I press my trembling thighs together. I can't seem to gather enough air to form words. "W-what are you—"

"I'm going to teach you a lesson, you spoiled human." As fast as a whip, he reaches across the bed and grabs my ankle, dragging me across the mattress until my ass is teetering on the edge. He rips off the blanket, exposing my naked body.

"No! Please!" I jerk away, but he pins my arms above my head. His left hand tightens around my wrists, the calluses on his palm biting into my skin.

"I'm going to enjoy this," he murmurs as his eyes slowly track down my soft curves, devouring me with a devilish look. I squirm underneath his gaze, but there's nowhere for me to run. Nowhere for me to hide. I'm at the mercy of this demon.

I take in a shuddering breath. And another. Az reaches into his back pocket, dropping the oil tin next to me. I know I'm supposed to be acting afraid, but I can't seem to wipe the smile off my face. There is a deep, low pulse between my legs. I'm already so wet for him; I don't even think I need the oil.

I drop my eyes to his red cock jutting out from his jeans. His veins glow an angry red in the dim light. The head is a deep purple and glistening with his seed. The sight of it pulls me back into the scene, making me feel afraid, vulnerable, and needy. "Please," I gasp. "You're so big. You're going to hurt me."

Az doesn't say a word as he rubs the oil over his cock. His eyes roll back for a moment as the oil tingles down his shaft. He dips his fingers into the tin again, slathering a generous amount between my legs. My cunt makes an embarrassing slopping noise as he plays with my clit. I let out a low moan, my body arching off the bed.

"You're going to be quiet," he barks, his expression as steely as cold metal.

I can't stifle the sounds coming out of my mouth. His fingers work faster, as if he's daring me to be louder. My inner channels quiver around nothing, and I bite down hard on my lower lip, ignoring the building pleasure.

Az removes his hand, and the loss of sensation is devastating. He pushes up against the bed, stretching my legs obscenely wide to fit his waist, and notches himself at my entrance.

My eyes snap shut, and I focus on my breathing. This is going to hurt. I have never been more turned on in my life, but it's hard to ignore the tiny voice of warning in the back of my mind. I don't want to use my safeword though (Az refused to roleplay with me until we picked one). I want to stop worrying about the what-if's and just live. I trust Az. He's a good actor, but he's taking every precaution he can.

"Open your eyes," he growls under his breath. "I want you to look me in the eye as I force myself into you. I want to see on your face that you've learned your lesson."

When I do, Az's face is inches away from mine. He holds my gaze as his fat tip slowly breeches me. My entire body tenses, waiting for the sharp burn, the waves of panic, but—

My head rolls back on the pillow, and I let out a deep guttural sound I don't recognize. His cock continues to slide into me, and the feeling of fullness is too much. And yet, it's not enough.

"Oh–oh–oh Azgoran," I sob. He's not even fully seated inside, and I'm unraveling around him.

I don't know how it's possible, but his gaze grows darker. Hungrier. As if he's feeding off my pleasure like a thirsty incubus. He drives the rest of his length into me. Whether it's the oil or just a Christmas miracle, somehow, my body stretches and accommodates his intimidating size.

The corners of my eyes darken as pleasure claims me, as ruthless and unyielding as the demon inside me.

He leans forward, pressing his lips against mine, muffling the sounds of my screams of pleasure.

"Shut up already. You humans are too noisy," he growls; my insides still throbbing from the orgasm.

I'm panting, too discombobulated to speak, as he releases my wrists and grips my waist with two firm hands. Az quickens his pace, his thrusts growing deeper and more frenzied. The friction sends aftershocks of pleasure down my spine and throughout my whole body. But I'm too wrung out to manage another orgasm.

"Look at me," he huffs out between breaths. He grabs my chin, forcing me to meet his gaze. He thrusts with an upward motion, touching a spot inside me that softens every muscle in my body into liquid. "I want you to look at me as I come inside you." His words are stopping and starting at an erratic pace as he tries to catch his breath. "As I claim you, you dirty, spoiled human."

Az presses his face into the mattress inches above my head and releases a groan; the guttural sound is muffled by the mattress. Warmth spreads deep inside me as he comes.

That's right, just like that, I think, running my fingers down the curve of his spine.

He lifts his head and grabs my chin again and tilts my head down, forcing me to look down between our wet bodies. My eyes widen as I see my lips stretched around his shaft. He pulls out, only halfway, his cock shiny with his seed. He forces my eyes back to his, a dark look on his face.

"You see that?" he growls. "That means you're mine." And he thrusts into me hard, one final time—so fierce I feel my teeth chatter.

We lay like this for a while with Az still seated deep inside me. I'm starting to lose feeling in my legs, but I don't care; I'm happy to stay pinned under him forever.

When he finally lifts his head to stare at me, a small worry line appears between his brows. "Was that too much?" he whispers.

I reach up and touch the line. "No. That was perfect," I sigh. "You were perfect. Thank you. That was . . . I can't even find the word to describe how much I enjoyed that. You have effectively ruined all vanilla sex for the rest of my life. Thanks for that," I add in a sarcastic tone.

The corner of his mouth lifts into a slight smirk. "I thought this was your vanilla suggestion?"

I roll my eyes, my mouth twisting into a smile. "I'm surprised that sex with you didn't hurt at all."

"It's the oil. I told you it was medicinal. You may be a little sore, but there's properties in there that will help with inflammation, so you should still be able to walk tomorrow. And if not, I have no problem carrying you to the hot springs again." He carefully slides out of me, and I let out a low gasp at the feeling of emptiness. It's heartbreaking. We'll have to fix that soon as we can, won't we?

Az gathers me into his arms and deposits me on the rug in front of the fire. He heads into his room, returning with a towel he uses to clean up the liquid dribbling down my thigh.